UK farmers on the brink as horror outbreak wreaks havoc

An insect-borne disease, bluetongue, is causing a “quiet catastrophe” for British farmers, decimating sheep flocks with high mortality rates and impacting cattle fertility. Hot weather has accelerated the spread, leading to hundreds of confirmed cases and thousands more under investigation, overwhelming testing systems.
Farmers are facing significant financial burdens from animal loss, disposal costs, and expensive, in-demand vaccines, alongside existing pressures from drought, fuel costs, and new inheritance tax rules.
Calls are being made for government support and long-term strategic planning to protect the agricultural sector and UK food security from bluetongue and other emerging threats.

• Insect-borne bluetongue disease is spreading rapidly across Britain, impacting sheep and cattle.
• High mortality rates in sheep and potential infertility in cattle are being reported.
• Hot weather has accelerated the spread by aiding midge development.
• Farmers are experiencing severe financial and emotional distress due to animal losses and rising costs for disposal and vaccines.
• The disease outbreak compounds existing challenges like drought, high fuel and fertilizer costs, and new inheritance tax regulations.
• Farmers and industry representatives are urging the government for urgent support and long-term strategic planning.
• Vaccination is identified as the best preventive tool, with efforts underway to increase vaccine supply.
  https://uk.layer3.press/articles/d965810e-e13e-49d4-9746-75377a314e67